Department of Earth and Physical Sciences

The Department of Earth and Physical Sciences meets a wide range of scientific interests. It consists of the Geology, Physics, and Environmental Health Science disciplines.

Geology

Geology is a dynamic discipline, intimately related to the proper management of earth resources and the human environment. The program prepares the student to function upon graduation as a professional geologist or to continue studies at the graduate level. In addition, geology majors may prepare for careers as high-school science teachers or as specialists in the field of environmental protection. Knowledge of the earth has assumed critical importance because of the imminent depletion of many natural resources and the rapid deterioration of the physical environment. Demand for fossil fuels, metals, and industrial minerals, and the development of alternative sources of energy; have opened excellent job opportunities for graduates with a Geology degree. In addition, Federal and State environmental regulations are requiring more geological information than ever before. Oil and mining companies, consulting firms, federal, state and city agencies employ our graduates at present. The objectives of the geology curriculum are to provide the student with a scientific understanding of earth materials, their properties, arrangement, and distribution, as well as the dynamic processes that affect them; the historical dimension of the earth and its inhabitants, the evolutionary processes that shaped them; the geologists role in the proper planning for use of earth resources and the maintenance of the quality of the environment.

Physics

The physics discipline, in its desire to serve both the general academic community and the community of science and engineering majors, has the following interrelated and complementary objectives:

Liberal Education of the Students;

Professional Career Education;

Research and Independent Inquiry; and

Public and Community Service.

Through a choice of courses and major, physics students can prepare for graduate study in astronomy, physics, professional schools of medicine, dentistry, and engineering, or for career placement upon attainment of the baccalaureate degree. The physics program prepares students in allied fields of science with the background to grasp the underlying physical principles of their disciplines and to fulfill professional requirements. The physics discipline prepares pre-engineering students for transfer into the professional levels of baccalaureate engineering schools.

In public and community service, some of the disciplines specific aims are:

To upgrade the physics curriculum in the high schools.

To improve the high school physics instruction of disadvantaged students.

To make quality education in the sciences accessible to high-ability female, minority, and disadvantaged students, and

To improve the quality of life through the monitoring and investigation of our physical environment.

Environmental Health Science

The Environmental Health Science Program is designed for students with a special interest in improving the quality of man's physical environment.

Students will be prepared for careers in industrial, governmental, health care, urban affairs, and educational agencies concerned with environmental health, occupational health, public health, and community interaction.

As professional technologists students will be prepared to assist in the conduct of comprehensive environmental control programs. They will have acquired skills in laboratory and field procedures from the analysis of water, food and air pollutants.